Albufeira, Algarve
Praia do Castelo
A small cove with a headland, and a car park that fills by mid-morning
Castelo is a short arc of sand tucked under a headland, with rocks at both ends and calm, clear water in the middle. It is quieter than São Rafael for one reason: fewer people can park.
There is a footpath along the clifftop from here towards Arrifes, which is worth doing for the view down into the coves even if you only walk five minutes of it.
- Parking
- A small free car park on the cliff, about fifty metres from the beach entrance, off the M526. It is a handful of spaces and in summer it is gone by mid-morning — which is exactly why the beach stays quiet.
- Getting down to the sand
- A wooden staircase down from the car park to the sand.
- What's there
- A restaurant on the cliff above (O Pic-Nic), toilets, showers, sunbeds to hire, and lifeguards in summer. Blue Flag.
- Without a car
- Route 75, operated by Vamus from Albufeira bus station, stops here — but only about six times a day, so check the return before you commit to it.
- When to go
- Early morning if you are driving yourself, for the parking. Otherwise late afternoon, when the headland throws shade across the eastern end.